Camera shutter



May 17, 1938. J. MIHALYI 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER Filed OCT.. 30, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet l FILLE.

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May 17, 193s. J. MIHALY, 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER Filed Oct. 30, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS May 17, 1938. jA MlHALYl 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER Filed Oct. 30, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INYEXTOR. Josep/1'? M lhalyl ATTNEYS May 17, 1938.V J. MlHALYl 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER Filed Oct. 30, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Vnmmlll INVENTOR. Joseph Mihalyi ,4612x475 AT ORNEYS May 17, 1938; J. MIHALYI 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER Filed Oct. 30, 1936 FIG. IB. 134a 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 w l 'lllIl/llll lllllllllllllllllllllll J 111W??? 05 l Cl l BY fm.

May 17, 1938. 1 MlHALYl 2,117,971

CAMERA SHUTTER l Filed Oct. 30, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG-25 F|s.z5.

Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES CAMERA 8m Joseph Mihalyi, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester N. Y., a

corporation of New Jersey Application October 30, 1986, Serial No. 108,396

zo aum.

'I'his invention relates to photography, and

more particularly to shutters for cameras. One

object of my invention is to provide shutter mechanism arranged .in two separate housings which are foldable relative to each other. Another object of my invention is to provide shutter mechanism in two separate housings. interengaging parts of which are adapted to be automatically positioned in operative relation by opening the camera. Another object of my invention is to provide a photographic shutter in which that part of the shutter mechanism which 1s required to control the light beam passing through an objective is mounted on a part carrying the objective, and that part of the mechanism which controls the speed and duration of exposure is mounted in a housing movable relative to the part carrying the objective. Another object of my invention is to provide a shutter for cameras in which the more expensive part of the shutter mechanism which is used for controlling the duration and type of exposures may be mounted as one unit, and the parts which are required for the objective, such as the shutter leaves and diaphragm. are mounted in asecond unit. so that a second unit can be furnished to operate with the ilrst unit, regardless of the focal length and aperture of the camera objective to be used. Another object of my invention is to pro-y vide a shutter which is particularly adapted for use with objective of diilerent focal lengths and apertures, and which is provided wi two separate parts, one of which only must be tted to the particular objective in use. Another object of my invention is to provides shutter leaf structure, separate from the shutter leaf operating structure. Another object is to provide a means for holding the shutter leaves definitely closed except when the shutter leaf structure is operably connected `to the leaf operating structure. Another object of m.' invention is to provide a camera of a folding type with a shutter in which one of the setting dials is visible from s position above the camera when the camera is in an ODGn or picture-taking position, and other objects will appear from the following speciilcstion. the novel features being particularly pointed out in the claims at the end thereof.

Coming now to the drawings, wherein like referencecharacters denote like parte throulhout Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a camera in which 1s embodied the shutter operating mechanism constructed iny accordance with this invenv tion, the camerabeing opened for use.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the same camera as 1F18. l, but viewed from the opposite side;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation oi the camera in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view o! the mountinl plate on which the operating mechanism is (Cl. SH3) mounted, only certain parts of the latter being shown, and also showing parts of the shutter andgshutter casing;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the end of the winding lever shown in Fig. 4;

l'lg. 8 is a plan view of the cover for the shutter operating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Fig. 6, the operating parts not being shown;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the operating parts and the plate on which said parts are mounted, the mechanism being in released position and some parts omitted;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the same parts as Fig. 8, but in the set or wound" position and with the "delayed action device also ready for release;

Figs. 10 and l1 are section elevations on lines lI-Il and II-II of Fig. 9 and Fig. 8, respectively.

12 is an enlarged plan view of the delayed action detent and associated parts;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the operating mecha. nism, with some parts omitted, after release", and about to make'an exposure in the range of of a second;

Fig. 14 is a similar view for exposures of l second and l second;

l'lg.15isaplanofabellcrankthatispart of the timing control; 1"lg. lisadetached view of the and the mounting therefor;

Figrl'l is asectional elevation on line iI-IT of Pig. 18:

l'ig. lisaplanviewsimilartol'lgs. 13 and 14, with more ofthe operating parts shown, and, operating to makeexposures of l/200 second;

Fig. 19 is a plan view, showing bulb" operation;

Fig. 201s a fragmentary view indicating the manner in whichoverrun oi' the timing gears is www;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan showing a detent:

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation on line 22-220! Fig. 21:

l'ig. 23 is a detail of the timing-gear operator:

Fig. 24 is a detail cf the control member for nl; .isadetailofsn auxiliary control member associated with the part shown in Fig. 23; .Misasectiononline iI-Il ofFig.23; .27 is a section on line 21-21 of Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 isa plan view of a plate for attaching the shutter mechanism and its mounting to a part of the camera:

Fig. 29 is a detail of the shutter lever and actuator in released position;

timlng gears Fig. 30 shows the same parts in set position; and

Fig. 31 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of parts ofthe interengaging shutter mechanism and particularly the shutter leaf holding latch.

Photographic shutters have always been one of the most expensive parts of a camera and the most dificult to make. One of the reasons for this is that heretofore shutters have. been made in one unit, and that unit must be of the proper size and shape for the individual objective to be used. Thus, since objectives of varying focal length and aperture are in use on different cameras. it is necessary to provide a plurality of different sizes of shutters and moreover the parts in some shutters are confined in an extremely small space.

In accordance with my invention, I propose to provide a shutter formed of two units, each unit of which can be separately assembled and only one unit of which, need t the particular type of lens employed. For instance. I nd it convenient to provide a camera front with shutter leaves and with a diaphragm and only such other parts as are necessary to move these two members. because by doing this an inexpensive unit is formed which can be made in diiferent sizes to iit the various diilerent objectives.

. The second unit may be. made in one size only if desired, and may contain all the mechanism by which the shutter leaves and diaphragm are operated. Such a unit can be made to work satisfactorily with various different sizes of objectives, and since this unit can be manufactured separately a much less expensive type of shutter can be provided for various objectives and cameras.

I propose to provide a shutter in two units and mount it in such a way that when the camera is opened, operative parts of the shutter mechanism contained in each unit will be automatically brought together so that the mechanism in the two units may function as satisfactorily as if all of the mechanismwas mounted in a single casing.

. As a preferred form of my invention I have illustrated a camera in which the shutter leaf and diaphragm construction is mounted in one unit and in which the mechanism for operating these parts are mounted in a separate unit, the two units being operative engaged by positioning the camera parts in a picture-taking position.

It is obvious that various diierent arrangements can be made without departing from my invention, and that the camera and shutter mechanism shown in the drawings are by way of illustration only.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show a camera including an embodiment of my invention, which may comprise a body 3|, bed s2, beuows sa, and'aamera front designated broadly as 34 and which is attached by conventional spring-actuated linkage 35 tothe body 3|. Such a structure is shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,033,703, Green, granted March 10, 1936. A lens 36 is mounted in the casing 34 in conjunction with the shutter. and bed braces 32a restrict the unfolding movement of the camera to a predetermined limit. Accurate focusing may be accomplished by rotating the front lens element in the usual manner. camera may have a range finder 31 and a lightactivated element 38 for determination of exposures, but these partsare not necessary parts of the present invention.

Above the bellows 33 is the casing or cover The above.mentioned, broadly designated by numeral 39, and containing the operating and controlling mechanism by which the shutter is operated. This casing, shown in section in Fig. 7, is closed at the bottom by a plate 40 (see also Fig. 4) that constitutes a base or mounting for the shutteroperating mechanism as a unit. The plate 40 is hinged at 4| to the camera body and has edge channels or slideways 42 in which pins 43 on camera front 34 are adapted to slide, so that when the camera front 34 is pushed back in closing the camera, the pins 43 travel in the channels 2 ..and cause the plate 40 and casing 39 to swing downwardly on the hinge 4| over the shutter casing 34, the whole moving to the position indicated in Fig. 3 so that the camera bed 32 closes into place over both the casings 39 and 34.

When the bed 32 is released by pressure on buttons 32D the reverse action occurs, viz; the linkage 35 moves the shutter casing forwardly, and the pins 43 on the latter, traveling in the channels 42, cause the plate 40 and the operating parts carried thereby and the casing 39 that encloses said parts to swing upwardly about the hinge 4| and to assume the position of Fig. l, at which time a predetermined mechanical relation is established between a part of the operating mechanism within the casing 39 and a part of the shutter that projects upwardly from the casing 34, all as set forth in detail in the following description.

'Ihe shutter in the present instance is not shown completely but only to the extent required to make clear its operation and its relation to other parts. Such a shutter may comprise a plurality of .blades 45, pivotally attached at 43 to a partition 44 within the casing 34. and adapted to be moved by pins 41 that are set in a blade-operating ring 48, the latter suitably mounted for partial oscillation both clockwise `and counterclockwise through a limited arc. One of such movements of the ring 48 may carry the blades 45 to open position and the opposite movement may return the blades to closed position.

For this purpose the blade-operating ring 48 has an upwardly-extending arm 49 that projects through a slot in the top of casing 34 and is adapted to cooperate with a reciprocating link 59 which constitutes a terminal element of the actuating mechanism, said link being moved when the operator presses the release or operating button for making an exposure, in a manner to be described. It will be understood that the opening of the camera as above described carries the arm' 49 into a position where it may be engaged by the link 50. This movement is completely automatic and requires no effort on the part of the operator other than merely opening the camera.

Suitable means are provided whereby the arm 49 is held against movement, (the blades 45 being closed) when the camera is folded or partially opened, so that the blades will not work open or become separated by movement or jarring of the camera. Such means may comprise a spring 249 with a curved portion 250 adapted to hold lever 49 against movement at the time this part is free from engagement with the hook or latch whichl is when the camera front 34 is in a folded or partly folded position.

4When however the camera is positioned for taking pictures and member 49 is engaged by hook 5| the arm 49 will have been released since lug 240 of plate 4|) engages the upstanding end 252 of spring latch 25| just before the camera is fully opened, so that by completing the opening movement the latch is released. In starting to fold the camera the latch is immediately released to immediately re-engage arm 49 to hold it and the shutter leaves 45 against movement.

Corning now to the mechanism for reciprocating the arm 49, (opening and closing the shutter) the link 50' (Figs. 4, 29 and 30) having a notch 5| near one end, is pivotally attached near the edge of a disc 52,revoluble on a post 59. This post is set in a mounting plate 54 that also carries the other operating parts, said plate being attached to vthe base plate 49.

The disc 52 has teeth 55 around part of its periphery, said teeth being adapted to mesh with teeth 56 on the rim of a ring member 51. This ring member, hereinafter designated the driver constitutes a convenient form of prime mover for all the operating and controlled parts of the mechanism. The ring 51 is revolubly mounted on a circular collar 59 (Fig. 11) beneath a'ange 59. A central opening or well 69, inside the ring 59, 'provides a space to receive the front lens element 36 when the camera is closed as in Fig. 3, and ths well mayhave a closure such as the plate 69a. Allthe operating and controlling parts are disposed about this central collar, some being mounted to rotate on said collar and others being mounted on various posts or studs set inthe plate 54, as will presently appear.

'I'he driver 51 carries a pin 6I that constitutes a convenient means for engagement with the Winding orl setting elements. Movement of thel driver in a clockwise direction by the setting elements (presently to be described)y is opposed by a spring 62, that constantly tends to move the driver ina counter-clockwise direction and to return it to the position ofv Fig. 4 to a stop pin 69. Movement of the driver in a clockwise direction rotates the disc 52 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby actuating the link 59 alternately through a right-to-'left and left-to-right path in accordance with such movement,while movement of the driver counterclockwise actuates the link 50 from left-to-right and then from right-to-left.

'Ihe setting element for the shutter mechanism is preferably a lever 64 which may be mounted at 65 on an extension of the 111m spool key and may therefore constitute a film winder also. This lever 64 is shown as connected by a flexible cable 66 with a slide 61 that has a lug 99 lying against the pin 6 I. The slide 61 is normally pulled toward the 'disc 52 by a spring 61a. When the lever 94 is moved in the direction indicated in Fig. 4, the slide lug 69 engages the pin 6i, and the driver is rotated clockwise until a step 99 on its periphery passes a latch 19.

This latch, pressed toward the driver by a spring 1I, is mounted on a lever 12, hereinafter referred to as the release lever, which is pivoted on a post 13 and urged in a counter-clockwise direction about the post 19 by a light spring 14.

when lthe driver is set and released is a particular feature of the invention and will now be described. From Figs. 29 and 30 it will be noted that the movement of said arm occurs.

notch 5I in the free end of link 59 is of a peculiar shape, the notch being undercut and being deeper on the outer side than it is on the side toward the disc 52. Fig. 29 shows said disc and the link as they appear when the driver 51 is in the position of Fig. 4. If now the lever 64 is moved, carrying the slider 61 toward the camera, the driver turns the disc 52 counter clockwise. The link 59 then moves toward the right, the shoulder 51a at the left of notch 51| passing in front of arm 49 because theV link approaches the arm 49 at an acute angle, and therefore no As the disc.52 continues to move, the link pivot passes the right center and the link 50 then begins moving toward t'he left, the shoulder 5Ia again passing in -front of arm 49 but still not engaging said arm.

The free end of link 50 is lightly pressed toward the arm 49 by a spring 59a. When the driver is released (the parts being in the position of Fig. 30) the disc 52 is rotated clockwise by reason of its toothed connection with the driver, and the shoulder 51a at the left of the notch 5I then approaches the arm 49 in a direction normal to the edge of said arm thus engaging and moving the latter toward the right and opening'the'shutter as heretofore described. As the driver moves further toward its released position or to rest, the disc 52 continues to rotate clockwise, and the link, after its pivot has passed the right center, moves again toward' the left, and the shoulder 5Ib at the right side of the notch 5| 4carries the arm 49 to the left and closes the shutter. The parts are then again in the relative positions of Fig. 29. v K

The above described engagement occurs regardless of the selected timing oi' the operating mechanism, so that on slow or bulb exposures l the driver is so controlled that the shutter remains open, i. e.: the driver 51 and thedisc 52 are stopped when the arm 49 has been moved to the right, and the shutter closes when the timedelayed parts are released to complete their movement.

To afford the operator convenient control of shutter speeds, the mechanism shown as ernbodying the present invention is arranged to permit speeds of bulb", 1 second, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, l/25, 1/50, 1/ 100 and 1/200 second, to encompass the conventional range of requirements. For a better understanding of the operating mechanism, the construction and assembly only of the timing and'control groups of parts will now be described and their operation and functions will be set forth thereafter.

Referring first to Figs. 10 and i1, the driver or master operating ring 51 is shown as before described, underlying an annular flange 59 on the centralv rim or collar 59. Upon the top face of this flange 59 is a number of balls 11, which constitute an anti-friction bearing for a ring 19, hereinafter designated as the gear ring. Part of the periphery of this ring is grooved as at 19 (see Fig. 23) to receive a spring 99 that is attached to' the ring at 9i and to a post on plate 54. The spring 99 thus tends to rotate the gear` ring 19 counterclockwise, after the manner of the driver 51 vwith its spring. Ring 19 carries two gear segments 93 and 94 which are in diilerand has downturned lugs 25a that enter notches 18a in the gear ring 18, thus making the parts 10 and 85 in eiect a single member. The periphery of this detent ringis provided with detents 85h and 85o.

To retain the above described rings in rotative relation and to facilitate assembly, a `third ring member 86, hereinafter referred to as the cam ring overlies the detent ring 85 and has lugs 86a (Fig. 24) adapted to enter notches 81 in the rim or collar 58 and engage an annular groove 58a therein, thus permitting the ring 86 to be retained on said collar, at the same time being free to revolve through a limited arc. As the lugs 86a cannot escape from the groove 58a unless aligned with the notches 81, the-cam ring 86 retains both the detent ring 85 and the gear ring 18 in their respective planes. The circumferential traverse of the cam is such that the required arc is covered by a movement which is insuiiicient to carry the lugs 86a from one of the notches 81 to the next.

The cam ring 86 constitutes a controlling element which acts upon other parts to move or interrupt the movements thereof to time varying exposures, and to this end the cam ring is provided with outwardly extending portions of appropriate form, 88, 89, 90, 9| and 92, the functions of which will be described. Rotation of the cam ring is accomplished by means of a. pinion 93.

(Fig. 19), mounted on a knurled wheel 94 (Fig. 7) projecting through ,the cover 39 convenient to the operators ringer. The pinion 93 meshes with a gearsegment 95 on the cam ring 86, so that movement of the wheel 94 may turn the cam ring either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The cam ring 86 also carries an inwardly projecting irregular portion 96, hereinafter referredto as the index cam. A lever 98, pivoted at 98a, has an upstanding pin 91 that is held against the index cam by the action of a spring 99.4 indicating shutter speeds, and this scale may be observed 'through a window |0| in the cover 39 (see Figs. l and 6). Rotation of the wheel 94 callises the scale |00 to move under the window I0 'Ihe parts which cooperate with the gear ring 18- are best understood by reference to Figs. 13 `to 17 inclusive, and include as a principal member a gear train with a retarding escapement, all of which, broadly designated by reference numeral I0, is in the present instance located near the rear right rear corner of the plate 54. This gear train as a unit is carried on a bell-crank pivoted at ||2, and having an arcuate slot ||3 to limit its movement. A double yoke or rocker frame ||4 is pivoted at ||5 on the bellcrank and is pressed by a spring |09 in such a manner that it tends to turn clockwise on said pivot. Between the upper and lower yoke members are gears H6, ||1, I I8, and pinions ||9 and |20, which intermesh successively after. the manner of clockwork gears, that is, so that movement of the primary gear, in this instance, ||6, is carried through pinion |20, gear ||1, pinion ||9 to gear H8, which latter will thenrevolve many times faster than the primary gear |6.

To limit the speed of the gear train under var- `ious conditions, the same elements are employed as are commonly in use in clocks and watches, viz; a star wheel or ratchet |22 that revolves freely on the shaft ||6a of gear H6, and an anchor escapement pallet |23, pivoted on the shaft of gear I8. The star wheel |22 carries The outer end of Ilever 98 carries scale a pinion |24 that meshes with the gear ||8, and is thus driven at a higher speed than the latter. 'I'he pallet |23 therefore co-acts with the fastestmoving element of the gear train and constitutes a retarding element therefor.

The gears ||6 and ||1 lie in the same planes, respectively, as the toothed segments 83 and 84 on the gear ring 18. When the yoke ||4 is turned slightly counterclockwise about the pivot I5, the gear H6 will mesh with the segment 83,

and the entire train of gears will be driven as above described, if the gear ring 18 is then moved counterclockwise. If the yoke ||4 is turned slightly clockwise about the pivot ||5 the gear ||6 is moved to a position where it cannot engage the segment 83, the gear ||1 being brought into-position to engage the segment 84, so that movement of the gear ring 18 then drives the gear train through a smaller reduction and therefore against less resistance and at a higher speed. Theyoke or frame 4 is turned about the pivot ||5 by the cams 9| and 92, acting on a pin |2| at the ring end of said frame.

Ii' the gear train is considered as a brake upon the movement of the gear ring 18, it is obvious that the latter, urged counterclockwise by the spring 80 (under conditions hereinafter to be set forth) will be retarded for a greater length of time when the gear segment 83 and the gear IIB are in mesh than will be the case when the segment 85 and gear ||1 are engaged. 'I'he above factors are utilized in the operating mechanism herewith illustrated to hold the shutter open for longer or shorterintervals, as will be described. The gear train therefore constitutes a variable retarding element co-acting with the shutteractuating mechanism;

Referring to Fig. 9 it will be noted that the driver 51 carries a short lever |30, pivoted at |3| and having an upstanding arm |32 that projects above the plane of cam ring 86. A spring |33 tends to hold the arm |32 against the edge of the rings 85 and 86. The arm 32 constitutes a connector between the driver 51 and the rings 18 and 85 whereby both the latter are moved clockwise when the driver is moved to the set position, and said arm also serves as a means for releasing the rings 18 andA 85 when the lever 12 is moved. 'I'he setting movement of the driver places springs 80 and 62 under tension so that the driver 51, the gear ring 18 and the detent ring 85 will' be moved counterclockwise except as such movement is retarded or interrupted.

Pivoted on the stud 13 is a lever |34, urged by a spring |35 so that its end |36 is pressed against the outer edge 96a of the index cam 96. A notch |31 in the edge 96a is adapted to permit the lever |34 to move, under the action of spring |35, a sufficient distance to co-act with other members to give a bulb exposure, provided the cam ring 86 is so positioned that the end |36 of lever |34 may enter the notch |31.

Also pivoted on stud 13 is a lever |40, the function of which is to intercept the escapement pallet |23 at the end of the shutter-closing movement, so that the gear train will not overrun by its own momentum. The operation of this partwill be detailed later. One end |4| of lever |40 is in proximity to pallet |23, and the/other end of the lever is turned down as at |42, s'o that it may be struck by a projection |44 on the driver 51. The lever |4'0 also may be moved counterclockwise by an arm 12a. on the lever 12.

Means are also provided in the structure of the present invention whereby the operator may ref lease the shutter, and then may himself pose in front of the camera before the shutter opens. Such means may be properly referred to as a delayed action device, because' the shutter is not operated until a predetermined time interval has elapsed after its release. The parts for accomplishing this delayed action in the present instance are located atv the right side of the operating mechanism, and are best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and enlarged in Fig. 12.

A stud |45 carries a detent |45, in the form of a disc, cut-away at |41 to approximately the radius of the periphery of driver 51 and occupying a corresponding plane. Obviously the detent |45 cannot be turned when so positioned. A part of the periphery of the driver has a curved recess 51a, which, when the driver is moved to the set" position (Fig. 9) permits the detent |45 to be turned, and when the detent is so turned,

the driver can be moved only a very slight distance. The delayed action device therefore cannot become operative until the shutter mechanism has been set. Detent |45 may be turned, when the shutter mechanism is set, by an arm |45, against the action of a spring |45. A iingerpiece |55 projects through the side of the cover 59 (Fig. 1) for the operators convenience.

A link (Fig. 9) is pivotally attached at |52 to the underside of detent |45 and has on its free end a series of teeth |5|a adapted to mesh with a pinion |55 that is fixed to the shaft ||5a of gear ||5. A light spring |54 maintains the teeth |5|a in engagement with pinion |55. On the upper face of detent |45 is a pawl |55, the free end of which is urged outwardly by aspring |55 against a limit stop |51.

Theoperation of the delayed-action device is as follows:

From a position of rest, as shown in Fig. 8, the driver 51 is moved clockwise as has been described, by means ofthe slider 51, until the set position has been reached, and the step 55 on the driver is caught by the latch as in Fig. 9. At

this time the recess 51a in the driver is aligned with the cut-away portion |41 of detent |45, and the latter may be turned by the arm |45 to the position of Fig. 9, at which time the pawl |55 snaps outwardly and acts as a latch againstv one shoulder of the recess 51a, preventing detent |45 from rotating under the pressure of spring |45.

During this movement the teeth |5|a on link |5| pass .by the teeth on pinion |55 without turning the latter, because spring |54 is not sti enough to cause such engagement, as will be obvious when the relative positions of the link |5|, its pivot 52.

and the pinion |55 are considered.

When the release lever 12 is tripped by means of the flngerpiece 15, and the latch 15 is thus disengaged-from-the driver, the driver spring 52 pulls the driver around, counterclockwise, but the driver can only move a very slight distance, because the front half of recess 51a immediately strikes the detent |45 and the driver stops. However, this slight movement issufilcient to carry the rear end of recess 51a past the end of pawl |55, whereat the spring |45 begins to rotate disc |45 counterclockwise and the teeth |5|a engage the pinion |55, dueto the jamming action that occurs because ofthe relative positions of the parts. The action of the spring |45 is resisted by the inertia and thev escapement of gear train ||5, so that the restricted speed of the latter compels the detent |45 to revolve slowly. giving the operator time to pose in front of the camera. As the detent |45 continus to revolve, it iinaliy comes again to the position of Fig. 8, where it no longer obstructs the driver 51, and the latter therefore isfree to complete its movement and to open and close the shutter for instantaneous or slow speeds.

Having described the arrangement of the operating mechanism and the construction of the parts thereof, the action of these parts in performing their various functions through diiferent lengths of exposures now will be set forth in detail. First, the shutter operating mechanism will be considered as ready for making a slow automatic exposure, for instance within the limits of one second to about V4 second.

The selected index figure having been moved to the center of the window |5| by the operator turning the wheel 54, the cam or control ring 85 is then in the position of Fig. 14 with the pin |2| on the part 52. The operator then winds or sets" the operating mechanism by turning the crank-- arm 54, thus moving slider 51 toward the camera, and carrying the driver 51 (through contact between slider lug 55 and pin 5|) clockwise, until the nose or step 55 on the driver passes the end of latch 15. The handle 54 is then returned to the position of rest. in the socket provided for it in the camera Body 5| (Fig. 2).

As the driver 51 is turned as Just described, the upstanding arm |52 on the part |55 engages the detent 55h on the ring 55, so that the latter and the gear ring" 15are moved clockwise also. This movement places the springs 52 and 85 under considerable tension. At the same time, the cam 52 is in contact with pin |2| and has swung the gear train ||5 about the pivot ||5 so that gear ||5 .is meshed with the segmental gear 55, thus placing the gear train so as to offer the greatest resistance and to require the longest time for the gear ring to turn and run the segment 55 past the gear ||5 in a counterclockwise direction. This latter action occurs when the release lever 12 is moved toward the camera, lifting the latch 15 fron the nose 55 on the driver 51.

As the driver 51 starts to move counterclockwise it carries the lever |55, and therefore the arm |52, ahead of thev detent ring 55, because the latter is fully retarded by the drag of the gear train ||5. Thus, the arm |52 is immediately.

pulled away from the detent 55h, and against the detent 55e, and the shutter 45 is opened by the action of link 55 through arm 45 as previously described. As the spring 55 continues to pull the gear ring 15 around, the detent 55e, with the arm |52 following against it under the action of spring 52, moves past the cam point 55.A This cam point forces the arm |52 clear of the detent 55c, and the spring 52 immediately pulls the driver to its terminal positionl carrying the link 55 tothe left and closing the shutter. Fig. 14 shows the mechanism just as the arm |52 is being forced of! from the detent 55e by the cam point 5.5, with the driver in such a position that the link 55 is about to move the arm 45 of the shutter to the left to close it.

F or exposures of somewhat higher speeds, from 1/5 second to 1/100 second, the cam ring 55 is set so that the pin |2| on the gear train frame is resting against the angular edge 5|. This permits the gear train frame to turn clockwise on the pivot ||5 and thus to remove the gear ||5 from the path of segment 55 and to move the gear ||1 into the path oisegment 54. vIf now the shutter mechanism is set as described, then released. the gear ring 15 will be retarded for a shorter period than before, due to the fact that a lower gear ratio is in effect. The gear ||5 spins idly and does not drive the train. 'I'his period becomes shorter the farther the cam ring 88 is turned clockwise, until, when the pin 2| lies between the portions 98 and 9| of the cam ring the time of dwell of the arm |32 after leaving the detent h until it passes over the cam point 89 is as short as 1/100 second.

For a speed of 1/200 second, the cam ring is moved until pin 2| rides on the portion 88, which swings the entire gear train and the bell crank so far to the right about the pivot ||2 that the gears ||8 and ||1 cannot touch the segments 83 and 84. As all gear inertia or retarding leffect is thus eliminated, the gear ring is free to' move under the influence of spring 88 as soon as the latch 18 is released from the driver. 'I'he cam point 89 is at this time to the right of the arm |32 and of no e'ect. The arm |32 is not carried ahead of detent 85h, because the spring 88 causes the gear ring to travel as fast as the driver, so that the latter is really aided by the spring 88. 'I'he cam point 88 is so close to the arm |32 that the latter is kicked 03" and will not strike the detent 85e. 'I'he shutter is thus opened and closed at maximum speed, the open time being in proportion to the initial lead of the cam point 88 from the position of arm |32 in the latched position.

The operation of the mechanism for a bulb exposure brings into action the lever |34 and other parts heretofore described. The point |38 of lever |34 is pressed toward the cam surface 98a by a light spring |35. A lug 34a on the lever lies against the free lever |48 which is pivoted at 13. and as the left end of the lever |48 is carried forward by release lever 12 it prevents the point |38 from touching the cam surface 88a except when lever 12 is pulled to release position. If the notch |31 is opposite the point |38 the latter will enter the notch when the lever 12 is moved as aforesaid. This movement frees the lever |48 and permits it to be swung about its pivot by the lug |34a as lever |34 moves under the influence of spring |35. The right end |4| .of lever |48 then yrests upon the rocking escapement pallet |23, preventing it from oscillating, so that the pallet prevents the gear train ||8 from moving.

As the gear ||8 is meshed at this time with segment 83, the gear ring 18, and therefore the detent ring 85, are held stationary, the arm |32 having moved from detent 85h to 35e with the driver during the opening movement of the shutter, is held by the stop ring, and the shutter remains open until the lever 12 is returned to normal by its spring 1|. As soon as this occurs. lever 12 turns the lever |48 and raises its end |4| clear of the pallet |23. The gear train, free then to run, permits gear ring 18 and detent ring 85 to complete their movements with the driver 51 and the latter closes the shutter. y

As previously mentioned, the end 4| of lever |48 engages the pallet |23 at every return or counterclockwise movement of the driver, through a point |44 on the latter striking the left end of said lever, and carrying the end |4| against the pallet |23. This action prevents the gear train from overrunning."

It should be understood that during the setting movement or clockwise rotation of the driver and the gear ring, that the segments 33 and I4 0n the latter do not engage the gears ||8 and ||1. Due to the fact that this movement tends to force the gears toward the right, the whole assembly swings, togethex'with bell-crank about the pivot ||2, so that the segments 83 and 84 chatterl across the gears without actually meshing. As the segments move to the left during the operating rotation of the driver, a jamming action occurs, due to the angular relation between the pivot ||2 and the path of travel of the segments, so that the gears and the segments must mesh.

Means are provided whereby the operation of the mechanism embodying this invention is impossible unless the crank-arm 84 which is a combination film-winding and shutter-setting member is fully returned to its normal position with the reduced shank of knob 84a in the notch pro vided for it in the camera body 3|.

A grooved disc or sheave |83 is freely revoluble on the post 53, and one function of said sheave is to serve as a guide for the spring 81a that re- .tracts slider 81. Mounted at one side of the plate 54 is a pivoted arm |84 that overlies the sheave |83, the free end of said arm being connected to the end 15 ofI release lever 12 by-a bar |85 (Fig. 13). 'Ihe arm |84 has a lug |88 that projects into the annular recess |83a in the sheave, and when the lug |88 is so projected, the arm |84 and release lever 12 are held against movement in a plane parallel to the plate 54.

The front end of slider 81 carries an upstanding lug |81 that is beveled (Fig. 4) so that it may wedge under the end of arm |84. As the slider 81 moves to the extreme forward position, the lug 81 may thereby raise the arm |84 thus lifting thelug |88 out of the annular recess |83a in sheave |83. When the lug |88 is thus lraised, the release lever 12 may be moved, but if the winding arm 84 has not been fully returned after a winding movement, the lug |81 will not pass under the end of arm |84. The latter then will not be lifted, and the lug |88 will still project into the recess |83a and prevent the lever 12 from being moved toward the camera to release' the mechanism for operating the shutter.

I claim:

1. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body.' the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective, means for moving the front to and from a picture taking position, a casing hingedly attached to the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure, another part carried by the casing and including a power drive, and elements on the power drive and shutter leaf structure so positioned as to be brought into operative relationship for driving the latter from the former when the folding camera parts are in a picture taking position.

2. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective, means for moving the front to and from a picture taking position, a casing hingedly attached to the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure and an operating member therefor,P another part carried by the casing and including a power driven crank, a latch included in the crank and shutter leaf structure for driving the operating member to open and close the shutter leaves to make an exposure, the location of said camera front moving means and casing and camera hinge being auch that said latch and operating member may be engaged by unfolding the camera parts into a picture taking position.

3. In'a shutter for folding cameras including 75 a camera body, the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective, means for moving the front to and from a picture taking position, a casing hingedly attached to the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter,one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure and an operating member therefor, another part carried by the casing and including a power driven crank, the location of the hinge of the casing and the means for moving the front being such that said crank and operating member may be automatically connected by moving the parts to a picture taking position.

4. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective, means for moving the front to and from a picture taking position, a casing hingedly attached to the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure, another part carried by the casing and including a power driven crank, a notch in the end of the .1 crank, a pin carried by the shutter leaf structure positioned to lie in the path of the notch in the crank to automatically engage the notch as the casing and front are moved toward a picture taking position.

5. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective', a casing hingedly attachedto the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure, another part carried by the casing and including a power driven crank, a spring for moving the crank in onedirection, a notch in the end of the crank forming one latch element, a pin on the shutter leaf structure forming the other latch element, said spring being adapted to resilientiy engage the latch elements when the camera parts are moved to a picture taking position.

6. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, the combination with a camera front adapted to support an objective, a casing hingedly attached to the camera body movable to and from a picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part carried by the front and including a shutter leaf structure, another part carried by the casing and including a power driven member including a gear, a pinion meshing with said gear and adapted to be osciliated thereby, a crank carried by said pinion `Jand having a latch element on an end`thereof, and a pin carried by the shutter leaf structure forming a second latch element through which the shutter leaves may be driven by the power drive.

, '1. In a shutter Yfor folding cameras includins a camera body, a camera front, a folding front mechanism for holding the front in parallelism with the camera body when the front is in an unfolded or picture taking position, a pair of hinged members mounted on opposite ends of the camera body and adapted to move from a position substantially parallel thereto to a picture taking position in which each member lies at an angle to the camera body and camera front and in which the hinged members lie on opposite sides of the camera front, whereby the camera front and the hinged members lie in different planes when the camera is in a picture taking position, a shutter mechanism divided into two parts, one part having mechanism including a power drive carried in one plane by one hinged member, another part of the shutter carried in another plane by the camera front and including shutter leaves and a shutter leaf moving member, and means for transmitting power from one shutter part to the other to drive the shutter leaves by the power drive including a member operated by the power drive and positioned on one end of the hinged member carrying the power drive and projecting therefrom, and the shutter-leaf moving member' projecting from the camera front and into a position to engage the member operated by the power drive when the camera front and hinged member are moved to an open or picture taking position.

8. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, a front mechanism for holding the iront in parallelism with the camera body in a picture taking position, a pair of hinged members mounted on the camera body and adapted to move from a position substantially parallel thereto to a picture taking position at an angle to the body and camera. front, whereby the camera front and hinged members lie in different planes when the camera is in a picture taking position, a part of a shutter including a power drive carried in one plane by one hinged member, another part of the shutter carried in another plane by the camera front and including shutter leaves, and means for transmitting power from one plane to the other to drive the shutter leaves by the power drive, said means including an interengaging hook and pin angularly disposed with reference to each other.

9. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, a front mechanism for holding the front in parallelism with the camera body in a picture taking position, a pair of hinged members mounted on the camera body and adapted to move from a position substantially parallel thereto to a picture taking position at an angle to the body and camera front. whereby the camera front and hinged members lie in different planes when the camera is in a picture taking position, a part of a shutter including a power drive carried in one plane by one hinged member, another part of the shutter carried in another plane by the camera front and including shutter leaves, and means for transmitting power from one plane to the other to drive the shutter leaves by the power drive, said means including a hook lying in one plane, and a pin lying in another plane, both positioned for engagement by moving the camera parts to an operative position.

l0. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, a. front, mechanism for holding the front in parallelism to the body in a picture taking position, a member hinged to the camera body and adapted to swing at an angle thereto when in a picture taking position and to be positioned with an end adjacent a portion of the camera front, a two part shutter mechanism, one part mounted in the front, and another part mounted in the angularly disposed member, elements on each shutter part adapted to cooperate when thecamera is in a picture taking position,

and a guideway adapted to guide one cooperating element into cooperative relationship with the other as the camera parts are moved towards a picture taking position, said guideway being of sumcient length to also guide said hinged member through movement of said front member.

11. In a shutter for folding cameras including a camera body, a front, mechanism for holding the front in parallelism to the body in a picture taking position, a member hinged to the camera body and adapted to swing at an angle thereto when in a picture taking position and to be positioned with an end adjacent a portion of the camera front, a two part shutter mechanism, one part mounted in the front, and another part mounted in the angularly disposed member, a pin projecting from one part, a hook projecting from the other part, and a guideway leading to the hook for directing the pin thereto as the camera parts are moved to a picture taking position, said guideway also controlling the movement of the hinged member through the movement of the front.

` 12. In a shutter for -folding cameras including a camera body, a front, mechanism for supporting the iront spaced from the body in picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part mounted in said camera front, a hinged housing adapted to swing upon the body to an angle in which an end of the housing lies adjacent an end of the camera front, said housing containing the other part of the shutter, and means in the ends of the housing and camera front for coupling the two shutter parts together, said means being adapted to be operative only when said camera parts are moved relative to the camera body and into a picture taking position.

13. In a shutter for .folding cameras including the camera body, a front, mechanism for Supporting the front spaced from the body in picture taking position, a two part shutter, one part mounted in said camera part, a hinged housing adapted to swing upon the bodv to an angle in which an end of the housing lies adjacent an end of the camera front, said housing containing .the other part of the shutter, and means in the ends of the housing and camera front for`coupling the two shutter parts together, including a pin and hook for coupling the two shutter parts together, a track included in said housing for guiding the pin into the hook as the front and hinged housing are moved toward a picture taking position.

14. In a two part shutter for folding cameras including an oscillatable film winding lever, the combination with a housing, a master member mounted in the housing, a setting member adaptcd to tension the master member, a crank operably connected to the master member to be moved in two directions thereby, said crank including a latch element. all of said shutter parts being mounted in a housing hingedly attached to the camera body, a blade ring, shutter leaves operably connected thereto and a blade ring operating lever, a camera front carrying said blade ring, shutter leaves and operating lever, said operating lever and latch element having a normal position of rest from which they may become automatically engaged by moving the housing hingedly attached to `the camera body., and the camera front into engagement in an erect.or picture taking position.

15. In a shutter for photographic camera of the folding type, the combination with shutter mechanism divided into two parts, two casings each adapted to contain a shutter part, each moveably carried by the camera and adapted to move into an operative or picture taking position in which they are in contact with each other, the shutter mechanism in one part including shutter leaves, and an arm for moving the shutter leaves, and moveable means for holding the arm against movement releasable by bringing the shutter casings in contact.

16. In a shutter for photographic camera of the folding type, the combination with shutter mechanism divided into two parts, two casings each adapted to contain a shutter part, each moveably carried by the camera and adapted to move into an operative or picture taking position in which they are in contact with each other, the shutter mechanism in one part including shutter leaves, and an-arm for moving the shutter leaves, and moveable means for holding the arm against movement, including a spring latch normally engaging said arm, said latch being adapted to contact with a shutter casing so as to be moved out of latching position thereby as said shutter casings are brought into contact.

17. In a shutter for photographic camera of the folding type, the combination with shutter mechanism divided into two parts, two casings each adapted to contain a shutter part, each moveably carried by the camera and adapted to move into an operative or picture taking position in which they are in contact with each other, the shutter mechanism in one part including shutter leaves, and an arm for moving the shutter leaves, and moveable means for holding the arm against movement, including a spring latch normally engaging said arm, an upstanding lug on the spring lying in the path of one of the shutter casings to be moved thereby by bringing the casings into contact.

18. In a shutter for photographic camera of the folding type, the combination with shutter mechanism divided into two parts, two casings each adapted to contain a shutter part, each moveably carried by the camera and adapted to move into an operative or picture taking position in which they are in contact with each other, the shutter mechanism in one part including shutter leaves, and an arm for moving the shutter leaves, and moveable means for holding the arm against movement, including a lug on the other shutter casing lying in the path of the shutter holding means whereby said means may be moved to release the arm as the shutter casings are brought into contact. Y

19. A shutter for photographic cameras comprising two supports, one including an exposure aperture, shutter blades covering the aperture, means for operating the shutter blades including an oscillatable lever, a lever lock, the other support including shutter operating mechanism, a hook member for engaging the oscillatabie lever, and means for moving the hook and lever into engagement and simultaneously releasing the lever lock.

20. A shutter for photographic cameras comprising two supports, one including an exposure aperture, shutter blades covering the aperture, means for operating the shutter blades including an oscillatable lever, a spring actuated lever lock, the other support including shutter operating mechanism. a hook member for engaging the oscillatable lever, and means for moving the hook and lever into engagement and simulta- JOSEPH MIHALYI. 

